🤠 Cobb Rodeo + Disco Fever

_{Welcome to the 87 new readers who joined 6,593 other East Cobb residents this week.}

What's up, neighbors!

We've been wanting to hit the Cobb County Rodeo for a couple weeks now, ever since the flyer went up, and it finally lands at Jim R. Miller Park this Friday and Saturday. Real deal pro rodeo. Bareback riding, roping, barrel racing, and bull riding to close it out. And with an 8 PM start, the worst of the day's heat has finally backed off by showtime. If Friday's booked, Saturday's got you covered.

Speaking of the heat, plan around it this week. The heat index is pushing 107, so save the outdoor stuff for early morning or after the sun drops and keep the middle of the day easy.

That's a good excuse for the $3 family movies at Aurora Cineplex. The Iron Giant plays Friday morning, it's air conditioned, and two tickets still run less than one regular seat. Tough to beat on a scorcher.

And if nobody feels like cooking after a long hot day, Laredos on Sandy Plains has the margaritas and the classics ready. They stay open late, so there's no rush.

Scroll down for the full weekend planner, the local news, and a shelter pup we think you'll want to meet.

- Andrew

This issue is sponsored by Peachy Insurance. Quick honest note: Peachy’s sponsorship is what keeps East Cobb Connect free for you every week.

A review of your current coverage costs nothing, and you'll know if you've got a gap before it turns into a real problem.

Tell them Andrew sent you.

Check them out here or text/call (770) 520-7095.

Jim R. Miller Park
2245 Callaway Rd SW, Marietta, GA 30008
8:00 PM (gates 7:00)
Fri & Sat, July 10–11
$27.56 at the gate, kids 4 & under free
Get Tickets

Here's something you don't get to do most weekends: catch a real pro rodeo, right here in Marietta.

The Cobb County Pro Rodeo takes over Jim Miller Park for two nights, and this is the real thing. You've got professional cowboys and cowgirls in bareback riding, calf roping, saddle-bronc, steer wrestling, team roping, and barrel racing, with bull riding saving the wildest for last.

The whole show runs about two hours, and with an 8 PM start the worst of the day's heat has finally backed off. My wife has been asking about it since she spotted the flyer, and honestly, so have I.

Best part? It's a STEAL. Tickets are $27.56 at the gate and kids 4 and under get in free, which is tough to beat for a night of live action this close to home. And it runs Friday AND Saturday, so if Friday's booked, Saturday's got you covered.

Get there by 7 (show starts at 8) for a good seat, and settle in for the greatest show on dirt.

Laredos on Sandy Plains is exactly what you want from a neighborhood Mexican spot. Colorful room, traditional decorations, friendly vibe. Good for a weeknight dinner when you don't want to cook, or a Friday night out with a couple of friends where you're not looking to spend a fortune.

The Mexican classics are what people come for, and the margaritas are a big part of why they keep coming back. If you haven't been, start there and work your way through the menu.

They stay open until 10pm most nights and 10:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, so there's no rush if you're heading over after a long day.

Mexican Restaurant | 4.2★
Hours:
Sun - Thu 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Fri - Sat 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Visit Laredos Mexican Bar & Grill Website

🚗 See directions to Laredos Mexican Bar & Grill on Google Maps

If you've spent any time at The Avenue East Cobb, you've been parked right across the street from Casabella and maybe never walked in. It's a 10,000 square foot showroom that's hard to sum up in one sentence. Furniture and lamps toward the back, home decor and art through the middle, then gifts, jewelry, baby things, and even Georgia specialty foods up front.

The lamps are what people bring up first. Casabella is one of the largest lamp sellers in the area, with new ones arriving almost daily at every price point. If you're after something bigger, they carry furniture lines like Norwalk and Kincaid, and their decorators will come to your house to help you pull a room together.

The other thing folks mention is the service. They'll wrap your gift for free and actually help you find something instead of hovering while you browse.

Price: $$
Hours:
Mon - Sat 10 AM - 6 PM
Sun 12 PM - 5 PM

🚗 Get directions to Casabella on Google Maps

7 Beds
7.5 Baths
12,551 sq ft
4.71 acre lot

A) $2,575,000

B) $2,890,000

C) $3,125,000

D) $3,275,000

GDOT released a fresh schedule of lane closures for the $1.2 billion I-285 and I-20 West Interchange project spanning Cobb and Fulton counties. If you're regularly running that stretch, now's the time to check the updated schedule before it bites you on your commute.

This project is a long-haul rebuild, and the closure windows shift week to week. Worth bookmarking the Cobb Courier's coverage page so you're not caught flat-footed on a Monday morning.

Source: cobbcountycourier.com

A resident reported spotting a bear cub in an East Cobb neighborhood around July 2, and the sighting has folks talking. Black bears occasionally wander into suburban Cobb from surrounding woodlands, especially in summer when they're foraging.

If you see a bear, Georgia DNR recommends keeping your distance, not feeding it, and securing trash cans and bird feeders. Bears that associate neighborhoods with food tend to keep coming back. Report sightings to the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division so they can track movement patterns.

Source: atlantanewsfirst.com

A Heat Advisory is in effect across north and central Georgia today, July 9, with heat index values expected to approach 107 degrees in parts of the region. That's not "drink extra water" territory, that's "limit outdoor time between noon and 6pm" territory.

Cobb County DOT road crews have been working asphalt sitting at 300 degrees in this heat, which puts things in perspective fast. For the rest of us: check on elderly neighbors, keep kids and pets out of direct sun during peak hours, and know the signs of heat stroke, which include hot dry skin, confusion, and a rapid pulse. If you see someone showing those symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Sources: cobbcountycourier.com | wsbtv.com | cobbcountycourier.com

This one stings a little. Diamond was adopted from this same shelter as a puppy, and now she's back. Not because she did anything wrong, but because her family moved and couldn't take her along. Some of the volunteers actually remember her from the first time around. was adopted from this same shelter as a puppy, and now she's back. Not because she did anything wrong, but because her family moved and couldn't take her along. Some of the volunteers actually remember her from the first time around.

She's about 11 months old, a golden and white Mountain Cur mix, and she's a bright, busy girl. She already knows sit, down, and stay, and she likes learning new things. A good walk, a little adventure, then crashing on the couch with her people is pretty much her perfect day.

Her old family says she's house-trained, good with kids, and good with other dogs, so she'd fit right into a busy household. She's already spayed, microchipped, up to date on shots, and heartworm negative, which means she can go home the same day you meet her.

You'll find Diamond in kennel 48 at Cobb County Animal Services on Al Bishop Drive. Ask for ID #16559. Walk in any day Tuesday through Sunday, and the adoption fee covers her shots, spay, microchip, and heartworm test.

Cobb County Animal Services
1060 Al Bishop Dr, Marietta, GA 30008
(770) 499-4136
Tues-Sun 10:30am-4:30pm
closed Mondays

🎬 The Iron Giant: 3.00 Summer Family Flicks - Aurora Cineplex | 5100 Commerce Pkwy. Roswell, GA 30076 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | $3.00 | More: visitroswellga.com
Classic family films for three bucks a ticket, showing Friday mornings at Aurora Cineplex all summer; at that price, you can go twice and still spend less than one regular movie ticket.

🤠 Cobb County Rodeo - Jim R. Miller Park | 2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta, GA | Show starts at 8:00 PM | $27.56 | More: rodeoticket.com
Full pro rodeo with bareback riding, calf roping, saddle-bronc, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, and bull riding as the finale; this is a genuine rodeo, not a petting zoo.

🎵 Disney Movie Sing-a-Long and Craft - North Cobb Regional Library | 3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw, GA | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Families sing along to classic Disney movie clips and make a themed craft at North Cobb Regional Library; no registration required and the kids will absolutely not be quiet.

⚽ Friendship Groups with Social Skills for All - Groveway Community Park | 160 Frank Lewis Dr, Roswell, GA | 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Age: 4-8 and 8-12 Fee: $45/session | More: visitroswellga.com
Sports-themed social skills group for kids with games like kickball, dodgeball, and relay races; great for kids who thrive with structured play and peer interaction.

🦕 Happy Helpings Summer Meal Program - North Cobb Regional Library | 3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw, GA | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Free meals for 18 and under | More: cobbcounty.gov
Free breakfast and lunch for kids 18 and under, a family movie showing throughout, and a dinosaur figurine for the first 25 breakfast guests each week with eight figures to collect total.

🤠 Music on the Hill: Nashville Nation - Roswell City Hall | 38 Hill St, Roswell, GA | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Free | More: roswell365.com
Country tribute on the City Hall lawn, free and BYOB-friendly; spread a blanket, bring a picnic, and let Nashville Nation do the rest for two hours on a Friday night.

🐾 Opossum Breakfast - Chattahoochee Nature Center | 9135 Willeo Rd | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Check website (admission included) | More: chattnaturecenter.org
You eat breakfast with a live opossum nearby while CNC wildlife staff walk you through how they care for these oddly charming animals; it's exactly as delightfully weird as it sounds.

🦕 Passive: Guess How Many! - Sibley Library | 1539 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Classic jar-guessing contest with a dinosaur twist; kids guess the number of dino figures, drop their answer in a box, and come back for the results.

👶 Playtime for Littles - East Cobb Library | 4880 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Drop-in play and socialization for kids ages 1-5 with an adult caregiver at East Cobb Library; the most local library pick on the list for East Cobb families with toddlers.

🎭 Shadow Quest - Roswell Cultural Arts Center | 950 Forrest Street, Roswell, GA | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | General Admission tickets $9 Groups (10 or more) $8 Children under age 2 get in free | More: visitroswellga.com
An interactive kids' adventure show where the audience shapes the story in real time, with shadow puppetry and imagination doing most of the heavy lifting.

🇺🇸 Stars, Stripes, and 250 Years Celebration - North Cobb Senior Center | 3900 South Main Street (inside Kennworth Park), Acworth, GA | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
America 250 celebration with a flag history presentation, a Color Guard ceremony, patriotic music from Debra Lieb, and red, white, and blue treats; a meaningful Friday morning event a short drive up 75.

🎭 Strand Academy: Performula 2026 - Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre | 117 N Park Square, Marietta, GA | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | TUITION: $350, EARLY BIRD PRICE: $310 | More: visitmariettaga.com
The Friday showcase performance for Strand Academy's musical theatre camp, where campers perform everything they've built and rehearsed all week for family and friends at 3 PM.

🎬 Stratton Movie Time - Stratton Library | 1100 Powder Springs Road, Marietta, GA | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
G or PG movie in Stratton Library's renovated multipurpose room; a nice air-conditioned two-hour escape from the July heat for families who want something low-key on a Friday afternoon.

🌟 Summer Sensory Playtime - Lewis A. Ray Library | 4500 Oakdale Road, Smyrna, GA | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Sensory stations and hands-on play activities for kids ages 1-5 at Lewis A. Ray Library on alternating Fridays; a great drop-in afternoon for toddler and preschool families.

🦕 Take Home Craft – Dino In Egg - Sibley Library | 1539 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA | 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Drop in anytime and grab a dino-in-egg craft kit to take home; no registration, no schedule, just a free kit for kids to build later.

🚂 Trains 101 Summer Camp - Southern Museum | 2829 Cherokee Street NW, Kennesaw, GA | 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM | $100 members / $125 nonmembers | More: kennesaw-ga.gov
The last day of this weeklong STEAM railroading camp for ages 5-10, which means Friday's session wraps with everything the kids have built and learned all week.

🦖 "Tea Rex" Family Storytime - Gritters Library | 880 Shaw Park Road, Marietta, GA | 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Dinosaur-themed family storytime for kids 2 and up on Saturday morning at Gritters Library; the Tea Rex premise alone is worth showing up for.

🛒 Austell Market - Downtown Austell | Austell, GA | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Free to attend | More: travelcobb.org
Biweekly community market in Downtown Austell with local farmers, artisans, baked goods, specialty food, flowers, candles, and jewelry; a laid-back Saturday browse worth the short drive.

🎉 Back 2 School Jam - Recreation Center | 2737 Watts Drive, Kennesaw, GA | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Free | More: kennesaw-ga.gov
Free community event with face painting, games, cotton candy, health screenings, and free book bags and school supplies while they last; a genuinely useful Saturday outing for families with school-age kids.

📚 1000 Books B4 Kindergarten Completion Celebration - Sewell Mill Library | 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
A proper celebration for families who finished the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program; if your little one hit that milestone, this is their moment.

📚 Family Bilingual Storytime - Sibley Library | 1539 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA | 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
English and Spanish storytime for kids on Saturday morning at Sibley Library; a welcoming 30-minute session that's great for bilingual families and kids learning a second language.

🛶 Family Canoe Day - Chattahoochee Nature Center | 9135 Willeo Rd | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Ages 5+; $25 general public/$12.50 CNC Members | More: chattnaturecenter.org
Beginner-friendly canoeing on Beaver Pond with CNC guides, designed specifically for families with young kids or adults who haven't been in a canoe since college.

🎨 Fearless Art: Orbital Swinging Art - West Cobb Regional Library | 1750 Dennis Kemp Lane Northwest, Kennesaw, GA | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Tweens and teens (ages 9-15) use pendulum-swing mechanics to create paint-splatter art that looks genuinely cool; no artistic skill required, just willingness to fling some paint.

🌳 Garden Learning Series – Tree ID - Smith-Gilbert Gardens | 2382 Pine Mountain Road, Kennesaw, GA | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM | $15 (members receive discount) | More: kennesaw-ga.gov
Volunteer Jack Price teaches basic tree identification using methods beyond just leaf shape, in the actual garden setting, recommended for ages 10 and up and genuinely fun for curious adults.

🚶 Hyde Farm Walking History Tour - Hyde Farm Park | 721 Hyde Road, Marietta, GA | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
A guided one-hour walking tour of Hyde Farm, one of Cobb County's hidden historical gems; shaded paths and local history make it a surprisingly enjoyable Saturday morning.

💃 Joy in Motion: A Family Dance Experience - Switzer Library | 266 Roswell Street, Marietta, GA | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Free drop-in family dance program at Switzer Library on Saturday morning; movement-based, all welcome, and a great energy release for kids who can't sit still.

🌽 Marietta Square Farmers Market - Marietta Square Farmers Market | 41 Mill Street, Marietta, Georgia | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Free to attend | More: visitmariettaga.com
64 vendors every Saturday with heirloom tomatoes, fresh produce, cut flowers, local honey, and whole grain breads; the kind of market where you come for eggs and leave with a bouquet and three jars of jam.

🦋 Members Only Hours at the Butterfly Encounter - Chattahoochee Nature Center | 9135 Willeo Rd | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | CNC Members only | More: chattnaturecenter.org
CNC members get exclusive early access to the Butterfly Encounter before the grounds open to the general public, which means you've got the butterflies basically to yourself for an hour.

🎬 Movies Under The Stars at Church Street Park - Church Street Park | 36 Mill Street, Marietta, GA | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Free (free popcorn) | More: travelcobb.org
National Lampoon's Vacation on the Church Street green with free popcorn, same great outdoor movie night as candidate 34 but listed from the Travel Cobb calendar.

🎮 Pokémon GO Fest Global Community Celebration at The Battery Atlanta - The Battery Atlanta | 800 Battery Avenue Southeast, Atlanta, GA | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Free | More: batteryatl.com
Free all-day outdoor Pokémon GO event with Mega Mewtwo raid battles, special spawns, and the whole local trainer community showing up; a solid reason to finally get the kids (or yourself) back into the game.

🎬 Scene on the Green: Zootopia 2 - The Art Place at Mountain View | 3330 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, GA | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Free outdoor showing of Zootopia 2 at The Art Place in Marietta on Saturday evening; bring a blanket, the kids, and something to snack on.

📚 Tamil Storytime - Sewell Mill Library | 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Guest presenter Jeya Maran leads a special Tamil language storytime at Sewell Mill Library, a great Saturday afternoon option for Tamil-speaking families in East Cobb.

💻 Teen Cybersecurity Class - Switzer Library | 266 Roswell Street, Marietta, GA | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
An hour-long cybersecurity intro class for teens at Switzer Library; practical digital literacy content that actually matters, free on a Saturday afternoon.

⛳ 3rd Annual USPMGA Georgia State Open - The Fringe | Roswell, GA | 8:30 AM – 11:59 PM | Starts at $20 | More: visitroswellga.com
Competitive professional mini golf, which is a real sport with real statewide stakes, and worth watching even if you've never thought twice about mini golf before.

🎬 Weekend Activities - Chattahoochee Nature Center | 9135 Willeo Rd | 12:30 PM | Included with admission | More: chattnaturecenter.org
A 22-minute film on the Chattahoochee River plays in an air-conditioned theater, making it a perfect midday cool-down during a full CNC visit.

🎵 Big Chicken Chorus 40th Anniversary Show - Lassiter High School Concert Hall | 2601 Shallowford Rd, Marietta, GA | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Starts at $11.40 | More: visitmariettaga.com
Marietta's own Big Chicken Chorus marks 40 years with an afternoon of barbershop harmony, local quartets, and the kind of good-natured entertainment that holds up better than you'd expect.

🦋 Breakfast With Butterflies - Chattahoochee Nature Center | 9135 Willeo Rd | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Ages 4+; $30 general public/$20 CNC Members (price per person) | More: chattnaturecenter.org
Exclusive early-morning access to the Butterfly Encounter with a light breakfast included; you're in the enclosure with the butterflies, not just watching through glass.

🌽 Farmers Market Presented by Kaiser Permanente - The Plaza at Battery Atlanta | 755 Battery Avenue Southeast, Atlanta, GA | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Free (2 hours free parking on non-event days) | More: batteryatl.com
Sunday farmers market at The Battery with fresh produce, artisan food, a petting zoo, a Bark Market for dogs, and the away game on the big screen; more than enough to fill an afternoon.

🪙 Greater Atlanta Coin Show - IAM Union Hall – Local Lodge 709 | 1032 South Marietta Parkway SE, GA | 9:00 AM | Free admission, free parking | More: travelcobb.org
Monthly coin show where you can buy, sell, trade, or just browse coins, currency, and bullion, and bring anything you own for a free verbal appraisal on the spot.

🎲 Second Sunday Game Day - Cobb County Public Library | 266 Roswell Street Marietta, GA 30060 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Monthly drop-in board game afternoon hosted by Cobb County; they bring the games, you show up and play.

👮 Coffee with a Cop - Tim D. Lee Senior Center | 3332 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, GA | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Community Affairs Officer Justice from Cobb County PD joins residents for coffee and a conversation about personal safety; a low-key Friday morning community touchpoint.

😂 Comedy on the Square - The Alley Stage | 11 Anderson Street, Marietta, GA | 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM | $27.60 | More: visitmariettaga.com
Live comedy lineup at the Alley Stage just off Marietta Square; a proper night out with a real stage, real comedians, and the Square right there for dinner beforehand.

💃 DJ Uvee Saturday Nights Late Night - Sandy Springs | 6405 Blue Stone Rd, Sandy Springs, GA | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Free | More: visitsandysprings.org
DJ Uvee spins a crowd-friendly mix of 70s through today, with an emphasis on getting people on their feet; a Saturday night that's genuinely fun without being a 2 AM situation.

🎲 Drag Bingo - Atlanta Hard Cider | 1010 Roswell Street NE, Marietta, GA | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Check website (18+ to play, 21+ to drink) | More: travelcobb.org
Drag bingo with Brent Star performing and cocktails flowing all night at Atlanta Hard Cider; 18+ to play and the show runs adult content, so this is firmly a grownup Friday night.

📚 Escape to the Past: A History Book Club - Switzer Library | 266 Roswell Street, Marietta, GA | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
This month's discussion covers 'His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life' by Jonathan Alter; a Friday morning hour of good conversation about the 39th president at Switzer Library.

💃 Friday Night Groove Line Dance - Milford Recreation Center | 675 Smyrna Powder Springs Rd SW, Marietta, GA | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | $15 | More: cobbcounty.gov
Two hours of line dancing at the Milford Rec Center on Friday evening; beginner-friendly and a genuinely fun physical way to kick off the weekend.

🎶 Friday Night Live Music at Church Street Park - Church Street Park | 36 Mill Street, Marietta, GA | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Free | More: travelcobb.org
Reed Waddle plays this month's installment of the free Friday series at Church Street Park; no tickets, no cover, and the whole setup is basically designed for a picnic dinner on the green.

📷 Historic Roswell Photography Competition & Exhibit - Roswell History Museum | 950 Forrest St., 2nd Floor, Roswell, GA | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Free | More: visitroswellga.com
Local photographers submitted shots of Roswell's historic sites as part of the America 250 celebration, and the results are displayed museum-style on the second floor; a nice low-key Saturday stop.

🏛️ Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority - City Hall, Council Chambers | 2529 J.O. Stephenson Avenue, Kennesaw, GA | 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Free (public meeting) | More: kennesaw-ga.gov
Monthly DDA public meeting; agenda available on the city website if you want to know what's coming to downtown Kennesaw.

🎨 Make Crushed Glass Resin Art - Red Seal Craft Studio | 1140 Alpharetta Street, Suite 400, Roswell, GA | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | $20 | More: visitroswellga.com
You choose from a wide range of glass colors and cast them into resin to make either wall art or a seashell trinket dish, finished in about two hours and ready to take home.

🎹 Music on the Hill: Piano Man vs. Rocket Man – A Tribute to Billy Joel & Elton John - Roswell City Hall | 38 Hill St, Roswell, GA | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Free | More: visitroswellga.com
Billy Joel and Elton John head-to-head tribute on the Roswell City Hall lawn, free, outdoors, and exactly the kind of Friday night that makes summer worth it.

💃 Noche Tropical at El Super Pan - El Super Pan | 455 Legends Place SE Suite #862, Atlanta, GA | 11:00 PM – 2:00 AM | Check website | More: batteryatl.com
DJ Luis Trevino mixes salsa, bachata, and Latin beats at El Super Pan inside The Battery from 11 PM to 2 AM every Friday and Saturday; late-night and genuinely energetic.

🌈 PFLAG Potluck + Craft Night - PFLAG Johns Creek & Sandy Springs | 700 Mount Vernon Hwy, Sandy Springs, GA | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Free (bring a dish to share) | More: visitsandysprings.org
PFLAG's monthly potluck and craft night for LGBTQ+ adults; bring a favorite dish and a craft to work on, and spend a Friday evening with a welcoming community in Sandy Springs.

🎨 Studio Lite – Shell Trinket Dish - Red Seal Craft Studio | 1140 Alpharetta Street, Suite 400, Roswell, GA | 1:00pm | $25 | More: roswell365.com
A one-hour low-key craft where you decoupage a napkin design onto a shell and finish the edge in gold or silver; quick enough for a lunch break, nice enough to give as a gift.

🍳 Summer Flavor Cooking Demo - Freeman Poole Senior Center | 4025 South Hurt Road, Smyrna, GA | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
UGA Extension's Zoe S. demos fresh, easy summer recipes using seasonal produce; a free hour of practical cooking ideas on a Friday afternoon.

🎨 TRS Art Night - Windy Hill Community Center | 1885 Roswell Street, Smyrna, GA | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | $35 per person | More: cobbcounty.gov
Drop-in art class with Amberly at Windy Hill Community Center on Friday evening; a low-pressure creative hour and a half before the weekend fully starts.

⚽ World Cup Weekend @ Zanzibar ATL | Watch Party + After Vibes - Zanzibar ATL | 350 Northridge Rd, Sandy Springs, GA | 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Free | More: visitsandysprings.org
Elevated World Cup watch experience with brunch, DJ, and a full evening atmosphere in Sandy Springs; Atlanta is literally hosting the World Cup this summer and this is where the party is.

🎵 After Dark 90s-00s R&B at Punch Bowl Social - Punch Bowl Social | 875 Battery Ave SE Ste 720, Atlanta, Georgia | 8:00 PM – 5:00 AM | Free | More: batteryatl.com
90s and 2000s R&B throwback night at Punch Bowl Social with hourly prize raffles, throwback board games, and slow jams to classics; the crowd who grew up on these songs will absolutely show out.

🐦 Beaks and Trails - Green Meadows Preserve | 3780 Dallas Highway, Marietta, GA | 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Early morning trail walk at Green Meadows Preserve with a focus on bird identification; you beat the heat, you see birds, and you're done before most people eat breakfast.

🌱 Discover Bonsai - Smith-Gilbert Gardens | 2382 Pine Mountain Road, Kennesaw, GA | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Included with garden admission | More: kennesaw-ga.gov
Staff and experienced volunteers work through the bonsai collection all day on the second Saturday of each month, pruning and evaluating while visitors ask questions and watch; a surprisingly engrossing way to spend part of a Saturday.

🌱 Energy in Motion: A Unique Tai Chi Gung Experience with Brian Early - Many Paths Wellness & Yoga Studio | 27 Oak Street, Roswell, GA | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Single class for a non-member: $25 | More: visitroswellga.com
Gentle Tibetan movement sequences designed to restore balance and quiet the mind, led by Brian Early in a small studio setting in downtown Roswell.

🌳 Guided Forest Bathing - Chattahoochee Nature Center | 9135 Willeo Rd | 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Ages 16+; $35 general public/$25 CNC Members (price per person) | More: chattnaturecenter.org
A slow 2.5-hour guided wander through the CNC grounds with intentional pauses, sensory invitations, and solo quiet time, not a hike with facts but a genuine mindfulness practice in the woods.

🍳 Jazz Brunch at C. Ellet's - C. Ellet's | 2605 Circle 75 Parkway Ste 400, Atlanta, GA | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Reservations recommended | More: batteryatl.com
Southern fried chicken, pancakes, mimosas, and a live jazz duo playing through the lunch hour at C. Ellet's in The Battery; a proper Sunday brunch that earns the word.

🎨 Make a Summer Straw Hat Workshop - Red Seal Craft Studio | 1140 Alpharetta Street, Suite 400, Roswell, GA | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Register for a Crafting Session | More: visitroswellga.com
You pick a base hat, add ribbon, botanicals, or whatever design strikes you, and finish the edge in gold or silver; a relaxed two-hour Saturday afternoon craft that ends with something actually wearable.

🖼️ Marietta Square Artisan Market - Marietta Square | Marietta, GA | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Free to attend | More: visitmariettaga.com
Locally made art spread out along Mill Street every Saturday, from paintings and ceramics to jewelry and handcrafts; easy to pair with the farmers market right next door.

🎨 Metro Montage XXVI Opening Reception - Marietta Cobb Museum of Art | 30 Atlanta Street, Marietta, GA | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | $10 (members and exhibiting artists free) | More: visitmariettaga.com
The opening reception for MCMA's 26th national juried show, with over 100 artists' work selected from 800+ entries; a Saturday evening at the museum beats most other options for ten bucks.

🔍 Murder Mystery Co. Dinner Theater Show at The Hudson Grille in Kennesaw - The Hudson Grille | Kennesaw, GA | 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM | From $79.27 (call 888-659-2952 to save $9) | More: travelcobb.org
Interactive comedic murder mystery dinner where you play detective or suspect over a three-course meal; a different theme every month, and you can shave nine dollars off the ticket by calling the box office directly.

🛶 River Canoe Trips - Chattahoochee Nature Center | 9135 Willeo Rd | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Ages 8+; $39 general public/$34 CNC Members | More: chattnaturecenter.org
A 2.5-hour guided evening paddle on the Chattahoochee with naturalist commentary; the after-6 start keeps the heat manageable and the river is genuinely beautiful at dusk.

🥊 UFC 329 at Live! at The Battery Atlanta - Live! at The Battery Atlanta | 825 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA | 9:00 PM – 11:30 PM | Check website (table reservations available) | More: batteryatl.com
UFC 329 on a 36-foot screen with wall-to-wall monitors, surround sound, and drink specials; reserve a table if you want guaranteed sightlines because this one fills up.

⚽ Visit Sandy Springs Clubhouse - City Bar. & Café | 1 Galambos Wy, Sandy Springs, GA | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Check Free | More: visitsandysprings.org
Open-air World Cup fan zone on the CityBar patio in Sandy Springs, built for match days with all the energy of a proper watch party but in a neighborhood you can actually park in.

🌊 Waterway Cleanup - Check website | 1465 West Booth Road Extension SW, Marietta, GA | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Free | More: cobbcounty.gov
Two-hour community waterway cleanup to keep trash out of local drinking water sources; bring gloves and a willingness to get a little muddy for a good cause.

🎸 We Are the Champions: The Ultimate Queen Tribute Band - Jennie T. Anderson Theatre | 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta, GA | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Check website | More: cobbcounty.gov
Full Queen tribute show at Anderson Theatre on Saturday night; if the band is even half as committed as the name suggests, Bohemian Rhapsody is getting its moment.

⚽ World Cup Weekend @ Zanzibar ATL | Watch Party + After Vibes - Zanzibar ATL | 350 Northridge Rd, Sandy Springs, GA | 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Free | More: visitsandysprings.org
Elevated World Cup watch experience with brunch, DJ, and a full evening atmosphere in Sandy Springs; Atlanta is literally hosting the World Cup this summer and this is where the party is.

🧘 Yoga in the Park - Swift-Cantrell Park | 3140 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw, GA | 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM | Free (ages 8+, registration required) | More: kennesaw-ga.gov
All-levels outdoor yoga at the picnic pavilion in Swift-Cantrell Park, free, 45 minutes, and a genuinely good way to start a Saturday morning before the heat kicks in.

🎵 Joe Gransden's Sinatra: An American Icon - Roswell Cultural Arts Center | 950 Forrest Street, Roswell, GA | 4:00pm | Tickets from $61.50 | More: roswell365.com
Joe Gransden and a full big band do Sinatra the right way, with real brass and that swinging croon; a Sunday afternoon concert that actually feels like an occasion.

🎶 Kurt Thomas & Friends - Sandy Springs | 6405 Blue Stone Rd, Sandy Springs, GA | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Reservations recommended | More: visitsandysprings.org
Atlanta Music Veteran Kurt Thomas and a tight three-piece deliver three hours of high-energy live music on a Sunday night; the kind of show where the band actually feeds off the crowd.

🎬 Stand By Me - Springs Cinema & Taphouse | 5920 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs, GA | 7:00 PM or 9:05 PM | $8 | More: springscinema.com
The Retro Rewind series brings the 1986 River Phoenix and Wil Wheaton classic back to a proper screen for eight bucks; the 7 PM show is a civilized Sunday night, the 9:05 PM is for night owls.

Friday night, the lawn at Roswell City Hall turns into a free outdoor concert. No tickets. No wristbands. No cover. Just spread a blanket on the grass, crack open a cold one from the beer and wine vendor, and let a high-energy 80s rock band do the rest. If you've been looking for a reason to get out of the house this week, this is it.

What it is: Music on the Hill is a free outdoor concert series hosted by the City of Roswell, running the second Friday of every month from May through September. This month's act is The M-80s, a band built entirely around explosive 80s rock hits. Big hair anthems, arena rock crowd favorites, the kind of songs everyone in the crowd already knows every word to. The series is part of Roswell's America250 celebration this year, with each show paying tribute to the music that helped shape American culture over the last few decades.

Plan it (get there before 8): The show runs 8:00 – 10:00 PM, but getting there a little early means a better spot on the lawn. Bring a blanket or low lawn chairs, something to eat, and whatever drinks you want. Beer, wine, and sangria will be available for purchase on-site courtesy of Top Job Beverage and Events and Gate City Brewing Company, so you don't have to haul a cooler if you don't want to. Roswell City Hall is about 10 miles from most of East Cobb, a straight shot up Hwy 92 or Roswell Road depending on where you're starting from. Downtown parking in Roswell is walkable from the venue.

At the show (2 hours): The M-80s are built for this format. Outdoor lawn, warm summer night, crowd that grew up on this stuff. You'll hear the big rock anthems from the decade, the kind where half the crowd is doing air guitar by the second song. Kids are totally welcome, the vibe is relaxed, and the lawn gives everyone room to spread out. If you've got neighbors or friends visiting from out of town, this is an easy, low-effort night that always lands well.

Logistics: Free admission. Parking available in downtown Roswell (see the City's downtown parking page for details). No registration needed. Alcohol available for purchase on-site. All ages welcome.

Heads up: The series description lists the July 10 start time as 8:00 PM (later than some other months), so plan accordingly if you're bringing little ones who have an early bedtime.

Half of Cobb is going to end up on Lake Allatoona or Lanier this weekend. Boats, pontoons, jet skis, the works. Here's the thing most people never check until something goes wrong: your boat is not covered the way your car is.

A quick rundown before you're on the water:

1.) Your homeowners policy probably won't cut it. Most home policies cover a small boat sitting in the garage, but not much once it's actually on the lake, and almost nothing for liability if someone gets hurt. If you own anything with real horsepower, ask whether you need a separate watercraft policy.

2.) Renting a jet ski or pontoon? Read what the rental place is selling you. The damage waiver at the counter is not the same as liability coverage. If you hurt someone or clip their dock, that waiver may not touch it. Two minutes on the phone with your agent tells you where you stand.

3.) Towing counts too. When your boat is hitched to the truck on I-75, your auto policy is doing the work, not your boat coverage. Worth a look if you haven't checked your trailer setup in a while.

Not sure what you've actually got? Peachy can pull your policy and walk you through the gaps in about ten minutes. No pressure, just a straight answer.

👉 peachyinsurance.com or text/call (770) 520-7095

Smile Tuners in Decatur is looking for an experienced Orthodontic Dental Assistant who knows their way around records, adjustments, bonding, and 3Shape Trios scanning. Experience with Lightforce and Inbrace is a plus, and they want someone patient-focused, energetic, and comfortable handling multiple things at once. Good fit for a dental assistant with solid ortho experience looking for a chair in the metro area.

Apply: ziprecruiter.com

Arc Living LLC (Axia Residential) is building a pipeline of Maintenance Technicians as they expand across the Southeast, including Atlanta and surrounding areas. The work covers HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and appliance repair. No immediate opening is listed, but strong candidates get fast-tracked when positions come available, so it's worth throwing your name in now if you have the skills.

Apply: ziprecruiter.com

Lily Smiles Center Inc in Scottdale is hiring an experienced Dental Assistant to support a family-based dental practice. They're looking for someone with good communication skills, a team-first attitude, and a genuine interest in patient care. If you like a welcoming, close-knit practice environment, this one is worth a look.

Apply: ziprecruiter.com